MTN Group has announced its intention to fully test and ultimately deploy OpenRAN across its African footprint.

According to a statement released to the media, the operator said it plans to modernise its radio access networks using OpenRAN.

“This is in line with one of five vital enablers of our strategy: to build technology platforms that are second to none, thereby allowing for the rapid expansion of 4G and 5G population coverage across our markets,” reads an excerpt from the statement.

The company expects to reduce its power consumption and associated carbon emissions, which supports Project Zero, MTN’s plan to decarbonise its network and achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

MTN explained that OpenRAN allows for the disaggregation of hardware and software elements of a network, enabling telcos to build a network using components with the same specifications and scale from a diverse base of vendors.

A disruptive trend, it is gaining popularity as the industry seeks to promote an open and interoperable ecosystem between various vendors, the operator added.

The intention is to collaborate with partners Altiostar, Mavenir, Parallel Wireless, TechMahindra and Voyage and roll the technology out by the end of 2021.

“As an early adopter, MTN first rolled out open-source technology in 2019 to improve rural coverage. This was in line with our belief that everyone deserves the benefits of a modern connected life. To date, we have deployed over 1 100 commercial sites in more than 11 countries and were among the pioneers of open-source adoption, facilitating cost-effective deployment in unconnected areas. For all mobile network operators, radio access network (RAN) makes up the bulk of capital and operating costs. By applying OpenRAN, MTN targets further innovation and cost efficiencies,” the company stated.

MTN Group Chief Technology and Information Officer Charles Molapisi commented: “At MTN we are alive to the potential of open interfaces. There is a lot of value that dominant players bring to the business, but telecommunications today is as much about the stability of the network as it is about new services. Customers measure us against the speed with which we can deploy the latest technology and we are committed to finding faster and better ways to do that.”

According to MTN the benefits of OpenRAN include diversifying the vendor landscape, disrupting the cost flow, and removing dependencies on proprietary suppliers. It also promises cost savings and flexibility as it allows operators to use generic hardware and open interfaces. It enables a so-called ‘Lego architecture’ where many different vendors supply the components and software products that together make the end-to-end radio network work.

Amith Maharaj, MTN Group Executive: Network Planning and Design, added: “While OpenRAN brings a new architecture to mobile networks and more suppliers to deal with, it gives telcos much-needed flexibility. This means that MTN can now look at building a network that can meet cost and capacity requirements of specific markets, or even rapidly deploy 5G and/or 4G seamlessly with existing legacy services. This is a real game-changer for mobile advancement in emerging markets.”

In efforts to drive OpenRAN standardisation, MTN is also participating in Facebook's Telecom Infra Project.

"Early adoption gives us the ability to improve and deploy appropriate network architecture underpinned by technology, both tried and tested, and disruptive, to ensure we continue to deliver an exceptional experience, and ultimately play our part in harnessing the power of technology to lead digital solutions for Africa’s progress,” said Molapisi.